The whole world marched on, unmoved and unnoticing.

In this sombre apartment alone tragedy reigned in sinister silence.

On the sofa, Lord Dorminster, who only half an hour ago had seemed to be in the prime of life and health, lay dead.
Nigel moved towards the writing-table and stood looking at it in wonder.
The code book still remained, but there was not the slightest sign of any manuscript or paper of any sort.

He even searched the drawers of the desk without result.

Every trace of Atcheson's dispatch and Lord Dorminster's transcription of it had disappeared!.